A few weeks back when I heard that a fire was in progress at the St. Regis Hotel, I felt a tightness in my stomach, concerned that one of the few historically significant structures left in the downtown area was going to be lost forever.

City Market has closed its pharmacy at St. Mary?s Hospital after officials with the grocer determined other nearby pharmacies made the hospital site unnecessary. The pharmacy closed Sept. 1 after 14 years of leasing space in the hospital, City Market spokeswoman Kelli McGannon said Thursday.

Caprock Academy could have a permanent building as early as the first day of school in July 2011. Caprock opened in the summer of 2007 and temporarily resided in a church before moving into a series of modular buildings at 640 24 1/2 Road.

Officials in every local government in Colorado this time of year are busy compiling their best guesses to create a budget for 2011. But this year, many of the state?s municipalities and county governments are crafting additional budgets, reviled as worst-case scenarios, that often include millions of dollars in local cuts if the state?s voters pass three measures that are on the ballot this fall.

Club 20?s ruling that candidate Tom Tancredo can?t participate in the organization?s gubernatorial debate could get one final test today. Club 20?s board of directors regularly considers organization policy on the Friday preceding Saturday events such as the Club 20 debates.

Efforts to restructure the University of Colorado to streamline its educational offerings while maintaining its position as the state?s premier institution need to continue, CU Regent Steve Bosley said. The Republican from Broomfield is seeking a second, six-year term as an at-large selection to the nine-member CU Board of Regents, and the restructuring project is ?part of the reason I want to stay,? Bosley told The Daily Sentinel editorial board.

Some voters in Senate District 5 are questioning whether the Republican candidate in the race actually lives in the district. Robert Rankin, however, says not to worry.

People planning to take in the grand views of Colorado National Monument through a drive or hike should prepare for some delays for the next month. The National Park Service will begin road maintenance work Monday that will cover all 26 miles of Rim Rock Drive. The project will include patching, crack sealing, chip sealing, micro-surfacing and striping.

Driver dies of aneurism An 81-year-old Grand Junction man suffered a fatal heart condition before causing a six-car crash Wednesday, authorities said Thursday.

Orchard Avenue Elementary School on Thursday became the first institution in School District 51 to be recognized as a Blue Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education, according to the school district. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program has existed since 1982 and honors schools that demonstrate high academic performance or tremendous growth in academic performance.

Investigators Thursday evening still were investigating the cause of a midafternoon fire that destroyed an unoccupied Redlands home. Firefighters from three different fire stations responded to a blaze that broke out about 3:15 p.m. at 318 Rosevale Road, Grand Junction Fire Department spokesman Mike Page said.

Delmer Walter Cordova, 64, Fruita, died Sept. 8, 2010, at St. Mary?s Hospital. A rosary will be said at 6 p.m. Sunday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fruita. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the church.

Nathan Poirier was on the inaugural men?s soccer team at Mesa State College. After graduating from Grand Junction High School, Poirier went to Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Ariz., then transferred home when the Mavericks started a men?s program in 2007.

Grand Junction 3, Moffat County 0 Thursday at Grand Junction

College Golf Berve is RMAC player of week

Battle Mountain 8, Palisade 2 Thursday at Edwards